Written By: Donald Sweeting VPPR (Edited By: Donald Sweeting VPPR, Doncaster Speakers Toastmasters Club)
The meeting was opened on time by the SAA (Sargent At Arms) Andrew Miller , who did all the usual housekeeping announcements and introduction then handed over to TM for the evening Mrs Stephanie Bisby.
Each of the role players were invited to come to the stage and share with the members what their roles entail and how the members will benefit from them performing their roles successfully to the benefit of all present and on Zoom.
1st Speech Evaluator: Andrew Miller – Great opening as usual creating the suspence for what was to come before the usual formal greeting “Madam Toastmaster, Fellow Toastmasters and most welcomed guests…” as he draws us into his story by injecting humour where appropriate. Andrew always leaves us wanting more by making us aware of the speakers ambitions for his speech and his TM journey.
2nd Speech Evaluator: Andy Howell – Another veteran in the art of competition at Division level on behalf of the Doncaster Speakers Toastmasters Club, Andy took us through the various Educational Pathways available to members of TMI and how it benefits every member to follow their chosen path. He delivered a very clear speech on his topic and the speaker gave us a great demonstration of how NOT to reposition the podium… OOPS!!! this prompted laughter from the audience.
Toastmaster Stephanie Bisby invited the audience to write their feedback to both speakers using the SLIDO app or using the folding bits of voting slips as per the traditional TM method… She then invited our VPE (Vice President Education) Mrs Lianna (Cairns) Williamson to the stage to give her presentation (100 years Of TM)…
HAPPY (100 YEARS) BIRTHDAY – Toastmasters International
Lianna took us on a wonderful journey through the years of Toastmasters beginning in 1924 right up to present date. it was a great story and a highly educational opportunity for newer members who may not have known the full magnitude of an Non Governmental Organization (NGO) with over 240,000 members in more than 144 countries around the globe to how we started here in the UK in Southport. She continued the talk by touching on how our own local club (Doncaster Speakers) was chartered only 10 years ago and provided new greetings from founder members.
“Evaluation is The POWERHOUSE of Toastmasters” –
author unknown…
The Grammarian gave their report on the word of the day – Acceptance… commenting further that we want to be as open, welcoming and inclusive as we can as a club so let’s get on with it…
The TT Master (Table Topics Master) was very entertaining as was each of the members and guests who volunteered to take part (some of whom did so for the very first time) in the impromptu speaking session, despite the irrational fear of public speaking that affects many people. Each person made a valuable contribution to an overall enjoyable evening that delivered on the TM promise of providing a “SAFE SPACE” to practice public speaking and supporting every member on their journey.
The TT Evaluator (Table Topics Evaluator) expressed the need for “Having Each Other’s Backs”… and supporting each other. Well done Rai ~Bergman for keeping us entertained and for encouraging first timers to “Have A Go” because its so scary that just getting up in front of everyone is a huge win… Also as if on cue, the comments on involuntary body language of hand clasping to cope with nerves, is a huge “NO, NO” in Rai’s book this was repeated until the message got through… to the delight of the audience in attendance and on Zoom.
The Ah Counter was again very humorous with the delivery of his report… He commented on the fact that although he was a fellow “nubie” full of self deprecation, he was grateful that the TM brand has created a SAFE environment to try out new things as we each are at a different place in our journeys.
The Grammarian … Finally but by no means least was the Gramarian’s report… Val’s report was somewhat diminished due to some technical gremlins that crept into the system and distorted her sound, so that she was not experiencing the same levels as the rest of the online participants. This made providing feedback to everyone difficult but the ones she could hear were given feedback in her usual forthright and enthusiastic style… well done.
In general, the meeting was very well conducted from start to finish and everyone in the room knew their roles and delivered on the Toastmasters Promise impeccably…
The Doncaster Speakers Club President – Stephanie Bisby, presented the awards and thanked everyone for coming and closed the meeting.
Doncaster Speakers 